Posted in: Public health

Is democracy a help or a hindrance in fighting pandemics?

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Scholars have said China had an "authoritarian advantage" in responding to SARS in 2002-2003. But Robertus Robet writes that in the case of Covid-19, there appears to be no such advantage.

Indonesia’s lockdown dilemma: mudik is a safety net for some, but may worsen the Covid-19 public health disaster

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Calls are growing for the government to ban the post-Ramadan exodus to the regions (mudik) to prevent further spread of Covid-19. But as Dr Belinda Spagnoletti writes, mudik is also an important safety net for those living in precarity.

Talking Indonesia: LGBT inclusion and access

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What are the barriers for LGBT Indonesians to access basic services, including health care, and what are the implications if they are left behind? Dr Jemma Purdey chats to Ignatius Praptoraharjo in the latest episode of Talking Indonesia.

Investment at all costs: Jokowi fails the coronavirus test

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President Joko Widodo's focus on the economy led him to initially ignore the seriousness of the coronavirus threat, writes Ahmad Syarif Syechbubakr.

Learning (or failing to learn) from the lessons of the 1918 Spanish Flu

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Ravando Lie looks at what lessons the colonial government's experience with the 1918 Spanish Flu could provide for Indonesia as it struggles to get on top of Covid-19.

As Jokowi calls for climate action, destructive coal mining continues to boom

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The president is signalling a shift in energy policy away from coal, but mining for the resource shows no signs of slowing. Article 33’s Santoso gives a closer view of what the practice is costing communities on the ground.

Sex education and swimming pools: child commissioner’s blunder shows need for change

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A laughable claim about the danger of falling pregnant in swimming pools raises serious concerns about the state of adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Indonesia, writes SurveyMETER’s Dwi Oktarina

Who to believe: social media or government? The challenge of coronavirus in Indonesia

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In a disease outbreak like coronavirus, who should the public trust? Conversely, how can the government show that it is a trustworthy source of information? Krishna Hort, Angus Campbell and Tiara Marthias look at the challenges of health communication.

Coronavirus, fear and misinformation

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Hoaxes, misinformation, conspiracy theories, racism, widespread panic and jokes and memes. Wisnu Prasetya Utomo takes a look at how Indonesian netizens have responded to the coronavirus epidemic.

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